COUNCIL RECOGNITION

FAMILIES OF THE MONTH

April 2026

Michael (Mike) and Corrine Kosar

The Michael (Mike) and Corrine Kosar family are the Knights of Columbus Family of the Month for April 2026. Parishioners since the early 1990’s, they are the proud parents of Michael Kosar. Michael attended Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional School and Saint John Paul the Great High School, where he was active in parish life, student leadership, athletics, and the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. He excelled both on the football field and basketball court, moving on to play Division I football at the University of Virginia and graduating with a B.S. in Computer Science, and a minor in Engineering Business. In his younger days, he was an Altar Server at our Parish and participated in the Youth Ministry. He was also named as the student representative on our Parish Council here at Seton Lake Ridge. Mike and Corrine have been deeply involved in parish service, co-chairing the 2021 Capital Campaign, organizing campaign events, and serving in numerous leadership roles to ensure the Campaign’s success. Corrine currently chairs the Parish Finance Committee and was a member of the Parish Council. Mike served as an RCIA sponsor for 12 years, accompanying candidates on their faith journey to joining in full communion with the Church. He also served on both the Parish Council and Facilities Committee. He is currently a member of the leadership committee which plans both the Spring Block party and the Fall Festival. The Kosar’s donated the Statue of Saint Michael the Archangel in memory of Mike’s father. The statue, hand-carved and painted in Italy, stands prominently between the confessionals. The Kosar’s are an example of a Catholic family who are devoted to charity and the greater good, of giving their time to others. We thank them for all they do and congratulate them on being named our April Family of the Month.

February 2026

Jason and Dianne Boffetti,

Congratulations to Jason and Dianne Boffetti, the Knights of Columbus February 2026 Family of the Month. The Boffetti’s are the proud parents of two daughters, Gianna and Gemma, and have been parishioners here since 2018. Both daughters have participated in the Vacation Bible School, Gemma as a student and Gianna as a counselor. They have been active members of the American Heritage Girls since its beginning at Seton Lake Ridge in 2021. Both have played youth soccer, and Gianna was the Knights of Columbus 14-year-old Virginia State Champion in 2024. Dianne homeschools the girls through the Mother of Divine Grace Program, which offers a Christ-centered curriculum. They are active in the Lumen Christi homeschool group and both girls will be performing in the group’s drama production this April. They also participate in the homeschool group at St. Raymond of Penafort in Springfield. Jason is Council 8183’s Chancellor and is active at Council events. He displays that keen sense of filling holes when we have gaps in coverage, and in most cases Dianne and the girls are there assisting as well. Whether it be the Soccer Challenge or cleaning up after Pancake Breakfasts, Jason and his family are there. In addition, they make time to look after Dianne’s parents who live a few doors away as well as Jason’s mom who lives in Massachusetts. The Boffetti’s are an example of a Catholic family generous with their time and where the Light of Christ shines in their commitment to love, prayer, and trust in God. We thank them for all they do and congratulate them on being named our February Family of the Month.

January 2026

Al and Karen Nessel

The Nessel family is the Knights of Columbus Family of the Month for January. They have been members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish since 1993. Since joining the Knights, Al has contributed his time to numerous Knights of Columbus events, including the Annual Yard Sale, Donut Sunday, Burger Night, Pancake Breakfasts, Hoagie Assembly Lines and decorating and undecorating the Church for Christmas. Al also regularly participates in Eucharistic Adoration. Al and Karen are the proud parents of son, Albert Jr., who is in his 4rd year at James Madison University. Albert was an Altar Server for 10 years and served at daily Mass from 3rd grade to 8th grade. He participated in and worked as a volunteer for Vacation Bible School. Albert also participated in the Children’s Choir, Advanced Choir and Contemporary Choir. Karen has been a lector since joining the parish. She has brought Communion to the homebound, volunteered as a catechist and hosted students in her home, and served as an officer in the Legion of Mary. She was an active member of the homeschool community, served on the Faith Formation team and as a VBS volunteer. She has also been a member of the collection counting team and a regular participant at Eucharistic Adoration, The Nessels are a wonderful example of a family who gives generously of their time for the benefit of others while continuing to enrich their own spiritual lives. We thank them for all they do and proudly congratulate them on being named our January Family of the Month.

December 2025

Sean and Lesley Ward

The Knights of Columbus congratulates the Ward family as our Family of the Month. Sean and Lesley Ward are the proud parents of two sets of twins. Liam and Aiden are in their second year at the United States Military Academy at West Point and the Virginia Military Institute, respectively. Both sons are committed to serving our country and intend to commission into the Army upon graduation. Their younger twins, Aubrey and Patrick, are sophomores at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School, where they are active in their faith and participate regularly in parish activities, including the Diocesan WorkCamp. Sean is a regular presence at Council meetings and has contributed to numerous initiatives, including the Shredding Event, the Hoagie Assembly Line, and most recently, the serving team at the Pancake Breakfast. He is also a dedicated member of the Fasting Brothers. Sean is one of the original qualified drivers of the Seton Lake Ridge buses. For the past two years, Lesley has served as the volunteer coordinator for Seton’s Spring Block Parties and Fall Festivals. In this capacity, she is an integral member of the Seton Logistics Team, helping guide the planning and execution of these major parish events. Once the activities and participation needs are determined, Lesley and Sean work together to organize and coordinate volunteer recruitment and staffing. During each event, the Ward family can be found moving with purpose and grace—from the first moments of setup through final clean-up. Lesley also volunteers with Birthright of Woodbridge, a nonprofit organization that offers assistance to women facing unexpected or challenging pregnancies. The Wards are a wonderful example of a family who gives generously of their time and talents for the benefit of others while continuing to enrich their own spiritual lives. We thank them for all they do and proudly congratulate them on being named our December Family of the Month.

November 2025

Steve and Libby Heath

Steve and Libby Heath are the Knights of Columbus Council 8183 Family of the Month for November 2025. The Heath’s are the proud parents of daughter Laurel, who is in her Senior year at John Paul the Great Catholic High School. The Heaths have been Parishioners here since 2020. Laurel has been involved in the Youth Ministry here at Seton Lake Ridge, including attending the Diocesan WorkCamp the past three years. She has served as a counselor at Vacation Bible School, as a teacher’s aid in the Family Faith Formation program and has volunteered in the day care during the 10:45 Mass. She had also volunteered at the Annual Yard sale in sorting clothes, the Fall Festival and the Spring Block Party. For the past three years, Libby and Steve have served as Facilitators / Catechists in the Family Faith Formation program. For the past two years, Steve has been our Parish’s Stakeholder for the Diocesan WorkCamp. In this capacity, he has organized our youth and adult participants. This includes overseeing tool safety training prior to the start of WorkCamp and ensuring that there are sufficient Contractors and Adult Coordinators from our parish to lead each youth team at WorkCamp. In doing so, he has given up a week or more of vacation to assist those in need and foster the faith of our youth. Steve has served in the role of Chancellor and has led our Charity Committee for the past three years. In September 2024, Steve answered the call and stepped, and took the mandatory driving test and now, is one of the go-to volunteer bus drivers, most recently, driving one of the buses to the October 25 RALLY at Bishop O’Connell Hight Shool in Arlington. Steve has also served on several community boards where he brings his Catholic faith to our broader Lake Ridge community. The Heath’s are an example of a family who gives back of their time for the benefit of others, while at the same time, enriching their own spiritual lives. We thank them for all they do and congratulate them on being named our November Family of the Month.

October 2025

Matthew and Lisa Lyn

The Knights of Columbus are pleased to congratulate the Matthew and Lisa Lynch family as the Knights of Columbus Family of the Month. The Lynch’s are the proud parents of five children. Mary is a senior at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School and is a National Merit Semifinalist. Philip is a freshman at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School. Thomas (6th grade) and Perpetua (4th grade) are both students at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School. Magdalena (age 3) stays at home with Lisa. The Lynchs have been members at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton since 2021. Lisa and the Lynch daughters were previously very involved with the American Heritage Girls. Philip and Thomas along with Matthew, previously participated in Trail Life. Both boys have been Altar Servers since the 4th and 5th grade. Mary participates in the 10:45 traditional choir and serves in the Nursery when possible. In addition to being a substitute Cantor at the 12:30 Mass and on Holy Days, Lisa has previously served as a catechist and the whole family is now part of the new Pathways program, with the older children serving as catechist assistants and parents as companions. Matthew and Lisa are perpetually professed Lay Dominicans and seek to serve the community in their apostolates. Lisa is a dedicated Youth Ministry volunteer, leads a Girls Bible Study small group and recently organized a widely attended Girls Retreat with Behold Visio Divina’s founder Katie Weiss, and the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. Matthew leads a Faith & Reason forum in their home for high schoolers to help equip them to understand and defend our Catholic Faith in modern issues. The Lynchs are an example of a family who participates in church related activities, building strong roots in each of the children, helping them to grow in their Faith and at the same time, serve others. We thank them for who they are and all they do and congratulate them on being named our Family of the Month.

September 2025

Glenn and Teresa Caldaro

Congratulations to Glenn and Teresa Caldaro, the Knights of Columbus Family of the Month for September 2025. The Caldaro’s are the proud parents of two children, Peter and Cameron and have been Parishioners here since 2021. Both children have been involved assisting in various Parish Events, including the Spring Block Party and the Fall Festival. For the past two years, Glenn has taken a week off work and led a team of students, serving in a Contractor role at the Diocesan Work Camp. In this role, Glenn made sure that the Adult leader and the 5-person youth crew, abided by all safety rules, and ensured that the work was properly done. Glenn has been a regular at TMIY for the past two years. This fall marks the 3rd in a row that Teresa has led the Logistics team in the planning and execution of Seton outreach events like Fall Festival and Spring Block Party. In this role, Teresa has set-up several sub-committees to ensure an even split of the nearly 100 plus volunteers it will take to run these events, including parking, transportation, food and drink planning, managing the tent supplier, entertainment and decorations. At these events, Glenn, Peter and Cameron, are always there, eager to help, from setting up tables and decorating to taking them down at the end of the day. Over the past four-years including this year, Teresa continues as a catechist or in support roles in the Family Faith Formation and the OCIA program. She has also served in supporting roles for the Rescue Project, Adventures in Marriage, Alpha and Alpha Marriage, often the whole family support in these events as well. She is a member of the core team for SHE, an Adorer in the Eucharistic Adoration ministry, and has attended many Religious Education Seminars at Franciscan University. Last summer, she traveled to Indianapolis with a few other parishioners, to attend the Eucharistic Congress. The Caldaros are an example of a family who gives back of their time, making it fun for others, while at the same time, enriching their own spiritual lives. We thank them for all they do and congratulate them on being named our September Family of the Month.

August 2025

Tom & Maria Genova

The Knights of Columbus are pleased to nominate Tom and Maria Genova as our Family of the Month. The Genova family joined St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in 2018 after moving to Virginia from New Jersey. They are the proud parents of two adult children (Tom and Maria) and two grandchildren. Tom and his wife Guadalupe live in Minnesotta with their daughter, Sophia while Maria and her husband Chris live in Woodbridge, VA with their son, William. Tom and Maria are members of the Silver Foxes where they are always on hand to do whatever is needed to ensure a successful meeting. Whether it’s setting up tables, cleaning up after the event, or doing dishes they’re always there to offer a helping hand. Our Parish’s’ Human Concerns Ministry also benefits from their involvement. They assist with the Tag Tree Programs. Whether it be the Christmas Giving Tag Tree Program, the Lenten Giving Tag Tree Program or the Back2School Pencil Tag Tree Program, Tom and Maria are there to help. Whenever Tom and Maria attend a Knights event, they are spontaneous volunteers and never hesitate to assist in setting up or cleaning up. They always size up the situation and find the hole in the process that needs filling. Tom as our council Recorder documents our council deliberations at both Officer and Business meetings. He has taken this role to the next step and that is the print media. Several of Tom’s articles have been published by The Old Bridge Observer and The Arlington Catholic Herald. Tom is currently working with Columbia Magazine, the Knights of Columbus magazine, on an article about our Altar Server Reception. In addition to being our Recorder, Tom is our Council’s Coordinator for the Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest and the Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest. We congratulate Tom and Maria for all their efforts in giving their time in service back to others and fulfilling the Catholic virtue of charity.

July 2025

Kevin & Theresa Smith

Congratulations to Kevin and Theresa Smith and family, the Knights of Columbus Family of the Month. Kevin and Theresa Smith are the proud parts of two children, James who was our 2024 Young Man of the Year and is entering his 2nd Year at Dean College in Massachusetts and Gwendolynn who will be entering her freshman year at Gar-Field High School. Both children were active in Parish Youth Activities, including the Vacation Bible School in their youth. Kevin is a Lector and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He is our Council’s Life Director, responsible for planning and coordinating activities, that uphold the value of life, from conception to natural death. The Smiths are true examples of people who live the Catholic faith. We thank them and appreciate their dedication and service. Congratulations to this well deserving family.

May 2025

Mark and Claudia Brown

Congratulations to Mark and Claudia Brown who have been named the Knights of Columbus Family of the Month for May 2025. They are the proud parents of five adult children and twelve (12) grandchildren and have been parishioners since 1996. The Browns have been very active parishioners since joining Seton Lake Ridge. Initially involved with the Youth Ministry, which Claudia led for 9-years, they are now involved in many things around the Parish to include: Alpha, Rescue, Alpha Marriage, Adventures in Marriage as presenters and coaches, Communio, Reachmore, and lead our Catholic Political Thought classes which help equip parishioners to better understand the history and responsibility of Catholics in politics. Claudia participates in the Bible Study classes on Wednesdays and leads the Friday morning Faith Share class. She is also a member of the Bereavement Committee of the Hope and Healing Ministry, participates in SHE and is the Virginia Catholic Conference (VCC) Ministry lead in the Parish. Mark assists at many of Knights of Columbus functions, including the hoagie assembly line, KOVAR collections, shredding events, monthly Rosary, our Annual Yard Sale, and our Lenten Soup Suppers, to name a few. He has also been attending and serving at That Man is You since it started. For those attending the 7:30 AM Mass, you may have been greeted by Claudia and Mark, along with their daughter Michaela, who serve as outdoor greeters. Mark and Claudia are true examples of people who give back to others, serving our Parish in so many ways. We thank them and appreciate their dedication and service. Congratulations.

April 2025

John and Betty Maher

The Knights of Columbus congratulate John and Betty Maher as being the Family of the Month for April 2025. John and Betty are parents of three adult sons and “Grammy and Popi” to six grandchildren. They have been very active Parishioners at Seton Lake Ridge, since joining in 1984, contributing their time and efforts to various ministries, including the Sanctuary Choir, Religious Education and Respect Life. Betty was very active in the social concerns ministry and when a vacancy for a full-time coordinator of Human Concerns opened, Betty was called by the Holy Spirit and said “yes”. Similarly, when John was asked to join the Knights of Columbus, shortly before the Covid-19 period, John too, said “yes” and became the Grand Knight. As a Knight, for the past 7 years, John has been leading the Food For the Needy Program in our parish. Currently John serves as the Parish Leader of the That Man is You Group, where each Saturday, more than 50 men meet in Fellowship Hall for breakfast, view a 30 minute video then reflect and discuss the topics presented, all while tying in Scripture (love, justice, and compassion) to today's issues (downfall of the family, poverty, racial and political division) and how best to guide our actions and reflections. The Mahers continue to let the Holy Spirit guide them in the spiritual journey as shining examples of living the Beatitudes. We are grateful for their service to our Parish. Congratulations John and Betty!

March 2025

Erik and Laura Lenz

Erik and Laura Lenz have been named the Knights of Columbus Family of the Month for March 2025. They are the proud parents of Rosie and have been parishioners since 2001. Guided by their deep love for the Holy Spirit, Erik now leads our parish’s Healing Ministry and Laura leads Charism Discernment Workshops, helping others discover the gifts that God has given them to help build His Kingdom. Their desire for spiritual growth has led them to enroll in the Encounter School of Ministry, where they are being trained to teach, equip, and activate disciples in demonstrating God’s love through the power of the Holy Spirit. In May 2024, Erik and Laura worked with our parish staff to bring the Encounter Ministries School of Healing to Seton Lake Ridge, which was attended by over 100 people. As a result, approximately 30 parishioners are now part of the First Friday Healing Prayer Ministry, which Erik and Laura lead. Their dedication continued through the year, as they led the Advent Hope and Healing Workshop in December, brought the weekend Encounter School of Identity to Seton in January, and are currently leading the Healing the Whole Person workshop. The Lenz family exemplifies what it means to live out the Catholic faith. Both Erik and Laura serve as Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass and to the homebound. Additionally, Laura serves as a captain for Team C, coordinating and assigning Ministers to homebound parishioners each month, and helps with the She Shall Be Called Woman program. Erik is a Knight in our Council. Erik and Laura have answered God’s call to discipleship, inspiring and forming others in their faith journey. We are truly blessed to have them as part of our parish community and are deeply grateful for their dedication and service.

February 2025

Sam and Mary Ann Cowden

The Knights of Columbus is pleased to recognize Sam and Mary Ann Cowden, members of our parish since 1995, as our Family of the Month for February. The Cowdens are a very prayerful family as evidenced by the following information. In 2010 they started the Divine Mercy Cenacle and within a year, they hosted a holy hour, once a week in the Chapel with the purpose of promoting a deeper understanding of the Divine Mercy Message, as revealed in scripture and from the writings of Saint Sister Faustina. Today, the Cenacle meets each Wednesday, following Daily Mass. In addition, the group meets on Thursdays for a holy hour at the beginning of All Day Eucharist Adoration to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and other prayers. In 2015, the Cowdens took over the duties of leading the Rosary, prior to the start of the weekday Mass, at 8:25 a.m. The Cowdens have one son, a daughter- in-law and five grandchildren who live in the Northern Virginia area. Sam and Mary Ann are role model Catholics for all our parish. They know and understand Jesus’ true presence in the Eucharist. By leading the parishioners each day in the Rosary, they believe as Saint Padre Pio told us, the rosary is the most powerful weapon against evil. We congratulate them.

January 2025

Peter and Mary Christensen

The Knights of Columbus is pleased to recognize the Christensen family as their Family of the Month. Peter, Mary and their family have demonstrated dedication and devotion to our parish and church. Pete and Maryanne Christensen seek to be good examples of what it means to be Catholic. They are the parents of three grown children including Father Chris Christensen, Pastor of Saint Rita Catholic Church in Arlington, daughter Kristina Luckey and her husband Dominic and son Carsten Christensen. They are the proud grandparents of William, Victoria, Bernadette, Kilian and Natalia Luckey. Pete and Maryanne joined Seton Lake Ridge in 1995 and participated in various ministries. Their children were educated at Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional School, Bishop O'Connell and Thomas Jefferson HS. For many years, Maryanne worked at the Project Rachael Program for the Arlington Diocese and served as the Director of Religious Education at Our Lady of Angels. In retirement, they have taken several spiritual pilgrimages, most recently to Italy with Father Chris and his Parish. They are adventurers and have hiked the Camino de Santiago on two occasions. At Seton Lake ridge they are Marriage Core Team Members and recently organized the "Adventures in Marriage" course. They also support the Order of Catholic Initiation of Adults (OCIA) team as teachers and sponsors and help with the Eucharistic Revival Program.

November 2024

Rich and Tammy Armstrong

The Knights of Columbus congratulates the Armstrong family as their Family of the Month. For the last 14 years, the Armstrongs - Rick, Tammy, Nate (12th Grade), Sage (10th Grade), and Silas (1st Grade) - have been blessed to be parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Serving joyfully in various ministries is a priority for their family as they work to glorify God. Rick is an active lector in the parish, while Tammy is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) and provides EMHC support to the homebound. The family serves on the Altar during Mass and Benediction. The two oldest children are senior altar servers, frequently giving their personal time to assist with extra ordinary server opportunities like Tuesday Adoration. In addition, the family represents their parish by participating at WorkCamp, supporting Catholic education, and adoring Him in the Blessed Sacrament. Through the years, their spiritual home at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church has inspired beautiful, meaningful, faithful friendships. Those bonds are truly cherished, as is the prayerful support their family has been surrounded by in carrying the crosses they are trying their best to embrace. Most importantly, their relationship with Christ continues to strengthen and flourish thanks to the parish family they find themselves so thankful to be a part of.

October 2024

John and Patricia Parente

John is a Knight and lector. He helps out with the Reachmore program, the TMIY, and sits on the Parish council. His wife Patti helped out with the ALPHA program early this year and both were a great aid during Eucharistic Revival sessions.

November 2022

Hector & Theresa Dittamo

Congratulations to Hector and Theresa for being recognized as Council 8183's Family of the Month.

September 2009

Hector & Theresa Dittamo

Congratulations to Hector and Theresa for being recognized as Council 8183's Family of the Month.

July 2008

Hector & Theresa Dittamo

Congratulations to Hector and Theresa for being recognized as Council 8183's Family of the Month.

April 2008

Hector & Theresa Dittamo

Congratulations to Hector and Theresa for being recognized as Council 8183's Family of the Month.